"If it is going to happen, it will happen to me!" Pam Millsap during Chemo Treatment 10/19/11

Well, after all the pokes, prodes and procedures, my mom was finally hooked up to her chemo meds today. But only after a very adventurous day yesterday. You see, yesterday was the day she got her port inserted. Just so we all know, a port is a direct line into an artery that is located in her chest, about 2 inches from the base of her neck. This makes it much easier to get the chemo drugs (less pokes) and also less time consuming. Any who, my mom, Sally (my moms BFF for the last 35 yrs) and yes, my father, got up at the gosh awful time of 3:30am to get to a Portland hospital called OHSU. But before the three amigos could even get there, it seems they had an hour detour (an unwanted detour) through the scary and dark streets of the city of one way streets! The driver, AKA my dad, was freaking out with every wrong turn. Luckily, one of the wrong turns, turned out to be right and they finally made it to the hospital. Oh, but the fun didn't stop there, then they spent the next 20 minutes trying to find a place to park. In one parking structure and then out again, until they found the perfect parking space. It was such a relief to all of them when they finally entered the surgical wing. But OOPS! They were two hours early!! Yep, it was quite a morning. Sadly, the day didn't get much better. The port procedure was hard on my mom. She was not sedated completely and kept waking up. My mom likens it to a horror movie, when someone is getting stabbed, passes out, then wakes up and is still getting stabbed, passes out and then wakes up again and is still getting stabbed. But she made it through and was at the Oncologists today ready to start treatment.
It was a long day of treatment today. At 9:15, blood was drawn, then a lengthy talk with the doctor to field any and all questions we may have. Then around 10:15, meds were administered. This being her first round of chemo, it took about three hours to get all three medications started. All seemed to be going smoothly, UNTIL, 15 minutes after the last drug. My mom did something, that maybe 1 out of 10,000 patients do, she had an allergic reaction! Yep, my mom is allergic to chemo. This reaction, that included; tingling in the hands/feet, nose, throat, mouth and a swollen tongue and throat, caused her to be admitted into the ER.
What will we do now?
We don't know. Doctor doesn't really know yet either. She is shocked at my moms reaction and has to converse with the surgeon to figure out how to proceed. It could mean a different, but not as affective, drug. It could mean surgery sooner. It could mean radiation (which the surgeon said he did not want to do because of moms RA). We will be back in the docs office tomorrow or Friday to talk about her options.

Thanks to all of those who have been praying so far. Keep the prayers coming. God must have a plan. Please ask Him to show us His vision.